Poultry-crate



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. ANTROBUS. POULTRY CRATE.

Patented Jan. 26,1897.

(NovModel.) 2 sheets-'sheen 2. J. H. ANTRBUS.

POULTRY CRATE.

No'. 575,752.5 Patented Jan. 25, 1897.

.WN Q my "UI Il l "UNiTEn STA-TES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. ANTROBUS, OF OTTUMWA, IOVA,

PO U LTRY-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,752, dated January 26, 1897. Application filed March 28, 1896. Serial No. 585,163. (No inodell To LU whom, t may! concern.-

Be it known that '1, JOHN H. ANTRoBUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ottumwa, in the county of Wapello and Stateof Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Poultry-Crates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the saine, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention `has relation to that class of poultry-crates which are constructed of hinged sections adapted to fold together in a compact form when not required for use and for convenience of packing and transportation; and the object of the invention is to materially improve this character of poultrycrate, whereby its effectiveness and practical usefulness will be materially enhanced and its strength and durability increased, which object is attained by the crate constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure I of the drawings is a perspective View of a crate embodying my invention,show ing the several sections thereof extended and ready for use Fig. 2, a longitudinal section thereof, showing one of the end sections resting upon the bottom or base of the crate; Fig. 3, an end view of the crate.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a suitable bottom or base, which may be of any suitable width and length, and, if desired, have suitable cleats a h secured to its under side. Upon the upper side of the bottom or base A and at the ends thereof are transverse cleats c, to which are secured supports cl, against which abut the end sections B of the crate when said sections are in an upright position.Y The end sections B are hinged to the upper side of the bottom or base A of the crate and have flanged fasteningplates C, the flange of the plate catching over the cross-rail e at the ends of the top section D of the crate, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. These flanged plates which catch over the end rails of the top section of the crate hold said section down in place and prevent its springing up.

The top section D may have one or more slides, as shown at E, for access to the interior of the crate when desired, said slide be- `ing'held closed by a suitable spring-latch F.

Similar latches G may be employed for holding the end sections B in an upright position, these spring-latches being of any suitable and well-known construction found best adapted to the purpose. The side sections H of the crate are connected to the top section and to the bottoni or base by a specially-constructed fastening which is particularly adapted to the folding sections of a crate where strength and durability aredesirable. These fastening devices consist of a double-hinge connection I J, secured, respectively, to the side section and to the top section of the crate.

Only one of the side sections II has the double-hinge connection I J, the opposite side section having plates L secured thereto and at its lower end hinged to brackets M, which are similar in construction to the brackets N, to which the double-hinge connections I J are attached.

The brackets M N are suitably connected at the corners of the crate to brace and 'strengthen them where most needed, this being considered important in packing and shipping the crates to guard against the rough handling.

The hinged plates L have tongues f at their upper ends, which engage with slotted plates O, secured to the top section D, thereby holding` the side section in place when the several sections are extended.

When in a folded position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, pivoted loops P at the ends of the top section D engage with pins g on the supports d, whereby said top section is held down in position against the end and side sections.

Then it is desired t0 extend the sections of the crate, cords R are pulled down upon,which will raise the side sections to an upright position and carry with them the top section to the position which it is to occupy. The inner endsof the cords R are suitably attached to the upper slat of the side sections H and pass through guides S projecting down from the top section.

It will be noticed that the doublehinge connection I J connects with the top section of the crate at the extreme upper end thereof, so that it will allow the sections of the double hinge to fold down upon each other, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

So far as the construction of the several sections comprising the top, sides, and ends of the crate is concerned, such sections may be variously modified or changed as circumstances require and without departing from the principle of the invention.

The loops P are provided with handles 7L for disengaging the loops from the pins g when it is desired to disengage the top section to extend it in forming the crate for use, the pins curve downwardly, so that the loops will automatically catch over them when the sections are folded, thereby providing a gravity-lock for the top and ends of the crate.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, isw

l. A poultrycrate consisting of a suitable bottom or base having metal corn er-brackets, end `sections hinged thereto and having at their top flanged fastening-plates, and side sections and a top section, one of the side sections connected to the top section by means of a double-hinge device, and the opposite side section having secured thereto and to the brackets hinged plates having tongues at their upper ends, and slotted plates on the top section for engaging therewith, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A poultry-crate consisting of a suitable bottom or base, metal corner-brackets secured thereto, yhinged end sections provided with flanged fasteningplates, side sections provided with pull-cords and suitable guides upon the sections through which the cords pass, double-hinged devices for connecting one of the side sections to the top section and to the corner-brackets, the opposite side section having secured thereto suitable plates which are hinged to the corner-brackets and provided at their upper ends With tongues, and slotted plates upon the top section with which the tongues engage, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. A poultry-crate consisting of folding scctions, the bottom of the plate having cornerbrackets secured thereto, the hinged end sections having fianged plates secured upon the outer sides and upper ends thereof, and gravity-locks for fastening'the top section and bottom together7 said locks consisting of pivoted loops and curved pins over which the loops catch, substantially as and for the purpose described.`

In testimony that I claim the above Ihave hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

Jol-1N u. AN'rRoBrs.

Witnesses:

XV. W. EPPS, N. A. CooK. 

